The Prime Minister’s Meeting

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 August 1949, Page 8

The Prime Minister’s Meeting

Sir,—l was one of the audience that packed the Opera House last night. The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, cOn-r tinually referred to this country as’tlife land ci' democracy, free speech, etc, He also stressed that the fact that the leicrendum was being held showed that the Government desired to give tile people every opportunity, of deciding; the issue. , . , . Very well. Last Tuesday night, Mr A. B. Grant, secretary of the Canterbury Trades Council, addressed a meeting in the Lyceum Hall. He stated during his address that he was a delegate to the Labour Party conference, and said that Mr Fraser tried hard to "bulldoze” conscription through. Mr Fraser actually demanded that the conference agree to the measure, but he met with unexpected opposition, which he saw would probably split, the conference and maybe defeat the proposal. The referendum then, offered rhe wav out for him, and no one can doubt he has taken full advantage of every facility at the Government’s command hi his advocacy of “Yes.” The Government at first' denied the “Noes” the use of tl\e radio, and probably if it had not been for the stand taken bv the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland; the Government would have maintained its attitude. Even so, the last three speakers on this important issuq have been “Yes” speakers, and the “Noes” have not had a chance to refute the allegations of the Prime Minister. Then there is the question of publicity. especially in the press. The advertising of the Government must have cost scores of thousands of pounds, and this is the public’s money. To be fair. I think the “Noes” should have had some .financial .assistance from the public funds. Then what about special planes and the enormous amount of petrol used by the “Yes” advocates. Who pays for that? Then the matter of halls and theatres. I tried hard to get a petrol licence for organising, but was refused. <*lt may interest people to know that since the campaign started I travelled over 800 miles.' Yes, I did get the petrol coupons. They came mainly from Labour Party members, but some came from Nationalist supporters 100. I intend at a later date to reply to the untrue allegations uttered by the Prime Minister in his talk last night.—Yours, etc., JACK DOYLE, Secretary,-organiser, , Anti-Conscription League. Gievmouth. August 3,